How to keep your venue safe following terrorism

In the wake of recent terror attacks, venue security has never been more paramount.

This coupled with the increase in venue closures has led to a sense of sadness within the industry, however in times like this we must remember the positives; the provision of safe places with security, medics on standby, regulated drink sales and curfews.

When Fabric was forced to close in September 2016 it was a decision made in the name of the war on drugs, with Islington Council, supported by the Metropolitan Police, moving swiftly after the deaths of two clubbers there in the space of nine months.

Club closures

Closing venues like Fabric, which thankfully was reprieved, will not stop clubbers taking drugs. While Fabric survived, there is a long and depressing list of London venues that have closed in the past decade – half of the capital’s clubs have shut in that time.

Make no mistake, this situation is a threat to London’s status as a world-class culture hub with a 24-hour nightlife. When the Night Tube service was launched there was great excitement, but you wonder where all these trains will be taking people in a few years’ time.

When these venues close, it’s not simply a case of replacing them with something else. Fabric, along with countless other clubs, has its own rich history and identity, something you can’t just replicate somewhere else.

Avoiding licensing issues

There are steps venues can take to avoid falling foul of the licensing committees. We work as closely as we possibly can with the local authority and the Metropolitan Police because dialogue and sharing ideas is a much more healthy approach than clashing over regulations.

I’m proud of what we achieve at Troxy every day. We provide a safe, secure venue in the heart of one of the world’s biggest and most vibrant cities which helps people create new experiences, discover new music, create new memories and simply live life.

When it comes to venue security, the tragic bombing at Manchester Arena caused most venues to reflect and review their security measures.

Even before then we had taken steps – along with other major venues and festivals – to put counter-terrorism measures front and centre of our security policies.